31 January 2012

Fit Moms For Life Review And Giveaway

If you're a mom and have a goal this year of changing your lifestyle to be more healthy like me, you have to hear about the Fit Moms for Life program!  I call it a program and not just a book because this book shows you how to change not only how you eat, but how you exercise and think about weight loss in general.  The creator of the program, Dustin Maher, has fittingly earned the name "America's Trainer To Moms" because his program is tailored just for us!  Now don't get me wrong, even Dustin states himself in the book that this program can be adapted by anyone, not just moms - but us moms have to love how it works for us!

As soon as I received the Fit Moms for Life book I dug in!  One of my goals this year is to lose 40 pounds, and if Dustin had the answer to how to make it achievable, I was going to listen.  One of the things you'll notice right off the bat with this book is all the wonderful personal stories and pictures of real moms getting fit.  I loved seeing each woman's transformation while reading.  It really gives me hope that I can do this!  Hey Dustin, you had me at "How to Have Endless Energy to Outplay Your Kids".  



The first part of this program is about changing your mindset about getting healthy.  Dustin emphasizes that it has to be a lifetime change, not just a weight loss goal.  I really get that now.  This is crucial for us moms that lose the weight and then go back to some of our old habits.  Next, the book goes over the importance of goal setting.  I loved how one of the women mentioned in the book made a goal to lose 10 pounds at a time.  So much easier when you break it into smaller steps!

From there, Dustin goes on to note a reality check for ourselves and where we stand on physical fitness, nutrition habits, and lifestyle.  Moving on, the book teaches you how to eat for fuel and even gives some great recipes to try!  The book also guides you through strength and burst training, as well as how each benefits you in getting healthy.  Don't worry - this book provides lots of exercises to get you in shape!


{ Sign me up to look like that please! }


Honestly, this book has become my Bible to getting healthy.  I love how Dustin makes a point that a fit mom provides a great basis for a fit family.  He also talks about how as moms we need to make the time for us.  That we deserve it and that we need it!  If one of your goals this year is to get healthier and even kick some pounds, this is the book for you!  I haven't read another weight loss book out there that comes close to covering all aspects of getting healthy both inside and out as this one has.  You can order the book and receive some wonderful freebies along with it here!


Connect With Fit Moms For Life:
* Facebook


Want To Win A Copy of Fit Moms For Life?

(1) Reader of Textbook Mommy will receive a copy of this wonderful book!

Mandatory Entry:  Leave a comment in Rafflecopter with a goal you have for this year!

Extra Entries:  There are plenty of ways to gain extra entries!  See the Rafflecopter form below.

Details:  Giveaway Ends:  February 8, 2012 at Midnight EST.  One entry per household please.  Open to residents of the U.S., 18 years of age+.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email or an alternate winner will be selected.  Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


* Disclosure:  I was provided a copy of the above mentioned book in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and are not a result of any outside influence.  

Tips For Dealing With A Sick Child


It seems this time of year is when kids end up spreading the germs and coming down with various bugs, including the cold and flu.  While good hand washing techniques and providing a good daily vitamin for kids is a good way to prevent your child from getting sick, as parents we know that this may not always work.  According to statistics, it is common for children to catch 8-10 colds within their first 2 years of life!  It may be hard to tell just how serious your child's apparent sickness is.  The makers of Children's Advil have come up with some tips to help you figure out whether or not you need to call the pediatrician.

Positive signs that your child is not as sick as you may think:

* Your child is still interested in playing
* Your child is eating and drinking well
* Your child appears alert and smiling
* Your child has a normal skin color
* Your child looks well when his/her temperature comes down


Signs that you should call the doctor:

* Your child is experiencing discomfort
* Your child is vomiting
* Your child is not drinking and/or not sleeping well
* Your child has a temperature of 101 F or higher and is 2-6 months old, or has a temperature of 103 F or   higher and is 6 months or older.
* Your child is complaining of a bad headache
* Your child is experiencing persistent diarrhea


As a parent, we try to provide comfort over all when our kids are sick.  I know I love to set my kiddos up on the couch during the day when they're sick and I make them hot soup, run them a nice bubble bath, and try to keep them entertained with games, books, movies, etc.  Children's Advil has some great tips when it comes to how to help your child feel better!


For Fever:
* Don't overbundle!  Lighter clothing tends to help body heat escape more easily
* Luke warm baths are great to help lower fevers

For a Stuffy Nose:
* A few drops of saline nose drops can help thin nasal discharge
* Using a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer in your child's room can help moisten the air and clear nasal passages

For Chest Congestion:
* Cupping your hands and gently tapping your child's back can help break up that pesky chest congestion.  This works best when a child is either laying on their stomach or sitting on your lap and tilted forward 30 degrees
* Again, a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer can work wonders to relieve your child's chest congestion

For a Cough:
* Honey is the recommended key ingredient.  Given alone, in a nice warm cup of tea, or even nowadays found in many cough syrups - this little ingredient can soothe your child's cough. (*Not to be given to a child younger than 1 year old)
* For a child older than 4 years, cough drops and lozenges help soothe the throat.  Remember not to give more than the recommended drops or lozenges per day according to the package.


So what are some good prevention tips?

1)  Make sure to work with your pediatrician to make sure your child is up to date on all vaccines.
2)  Avoid touching the nose, eyes, and mouth.
3)  Cover the nose and mouth with your arm (not hands) while coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of germs.
Did you know Children's Advil provides up to 8 hours of relief?  
Children's Advil also comes in new Dye Free White Grape formula!
Print a $1.00 off coupon for your next purchase here.



Thanks to the great folks at Children's Advil, I received a sample of their new Dye Free White Grape formula.  It honestly came at a good time, as one of my girls is just getting over a cold with a mild fever.  Not only do I love the new dye free formula, my daughter loved the taste and didn't protest having to take it like other liquid over the counters we have used.  Her fever went away quickly and it provided a long span of relief, which is one reason I love Advil products so much.  They always seem to do the job when you need it!  If you're looking for a pain reliever/fever reducing product that will give your child the relief you're looking for, I highly recommend Children's Advil products. 



* Disclosure:  This post was written for Children's Advil, in partnership with Smiley360.  I was provided a sample product in exchange for my personal review.  All opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and are not a result of any outside influence.

30 January 2012

The Secret World of Arrietty



Are you and your kiddos excited for the February 17th theater debut of the Disney movie "The Secret World of Arrietty"?  I know our family is!  We like to watch the Disney channel around here, and we have seen the previews for this movie, which look fantastic!  I like that Bridgit Mendler plays the voice of Arrietty.  In case you don't know who that is, Bridgit Mendler plays Teddy on the Disney show "Good Luck Charlie".  I'm not embarrassed to say that I love that show for the record, lol!  This movie actually kind of reminds me of being a kid and watching "Honey I Shrunk the Kids".  It's the whole concept of being small and trying to manage in the big world.  I think our family is going to have to make a night of dinner and a movie for this one next month!



And here's the official movie trailer:



* You can print some fun activity and coloring sheets for the movie here! *

You can also head on over and like the movie's official Facebook page here!




*Disclosure:  Media materials in this blog post were provided to me by Disney.  I did not receive any form of compensation for this post.

Zone Diet Review and Giveaway



Created by Dr.Barry Sears, the Zone Diet is not just a diet, it's a way of life!  With an emphasis on reducing cellular inflammation and losing body fat, the Zone Diet provides a wellness program just for you and your needs.  Cellular inflammation is the cause of weight gain, as well as a contributor to chronic disease.  In fact, more than 90% of Americans are living with high levels of cellular inflammation!  While there are no drugs to cure cellular inflammation, with the proper diet, these effects can be significantly reduced.

So how does the Zone diet work to reduce cellular inflammation?  The Zone Diet works to reduce this inflammation by maintaining the inflammatory hormones that are generated by food.  With the Zone Diet, you are eating the right combination of foods to combat high levels of inflammatory hormones.  The Zone Diet works by taking a meal and and dividing it up into 1/3 of the food on your plate being low-fat protein and the other 2/3 of your plate's contents being color carbohydrates (vegetables and fruit).  The Zone Diet also recommends you add a small amount of fat that is low in omega 6 and saturated fats, such as olive oil.





Bland food is not an option with the Zone Diet!  There are so many great products to choose from in your journey to a healthier lifestyle.  The Zone Diet makes it easy with a range of foods, snacks, shakes, bars, supplements, and more to get you started!  You can also find plenty of recipes through their website here. Right now the Zone Diet is offering a special 2012 New Years offer with free FedEx home delivery on all ZoneDiet.com orders through January 31st.




Thanks to the great folks behind the Zone Diet, I was able to review and enjoy a two weeks delivery of Zone Diet foods.  I was amazed at all the options I received!  One thing I liked about the Zone Diet right off the bat is that I can enjoy my carbs and still lose weight.  They also have the tastiest cookies and bars for a diet I have ever tried.  No joke!  My two favorites were the Strawberry Nougat Bars and the Cinnamon Buns.




Another thing I love about the Zone Diet is that the foods help satisfy hunger.  I am now eating smaller portions, but getting the same fullness from the size of portions I used to eat.  The weight loss truly does happen!  Combining the Zone Diet with my new 5 day a week exercise routine, I have lost 5 pounds in the last week and a half!  While it may seem like a small start, it's a start!  If you want to enjoy eating foods you love, while still being able to kick those extra pounds, I would definitely recommend you check out the Zone Diet.


Connect With Zone Diet:


Want A Chance To Try The Zone Diet?

 Thanks to the folks over at Zone Diet, (1) reader of Textbook Mommy will receive 2 weeks of Zone Diet foods just like the one I received for my review!

Mandatory Entry:  Head over to ZoneDiet.com and check out their tasty food options.  Then come back and leave a blog comment with which food you would most like to try!

Extra Entries:  There are plenty of extra entries available.  See the Rafflecopter form below!

Details:  Giveaway ends February 7, 2012 at Midnight EST.  One entry per household please, 18 years of age and over.  If you have won from Zone Diet on any other blogs in the past, I'm sorry but you are not eligible.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email or an alternate winner will be selected.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure:  I was provided samples from the above named company in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and are not a result of any outside influence.

25 January 2012

Redbox Movie Awards Review and Giveaway



Redbox wants you to predict the winners of your favorite upcoming awards shows, and if you can predict correctly, you can win Redbox movie rentals for 1 month, 2 years, or even 3 years!  I love predicting the winners of upcoming awards shows, so to do so and have the chance to win movie rentals is fantastic.  All you need to do to get in on the action is go to the Redbox Facebook page located here

To start off, you will pick an upcoming awards show that you would like to predict the winners of.  The current options I had available to predict from were the upcoming SAG awards and Academy Awards.  Next you will make your picks, submit them, and then you will have the option to challenge your friends.  How fun!


Some Of My Picks For The SAG Awards:

Best Performance - Cast:   The Help
Best Performance - Stunt Ensemble:  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Best Supporting Actress:  Melissa McCarthy "Bridesmaids"



Want A Chance To Win A Free Redbox Rental Code?

(3) Winners will each win one Redbox movie rental code so you can enjoy a movie night!

Mandatory Entry:  Tell me your favorite actor or actress. (Leave answer in Rafflecopter please)

Extra Entries:  There's plenty of those!  See Rafflecopter form for extras.

Details:  Giveaway Ends:  January 31, 2012 at Midnight EST.  One entry per household please, 18 years of age and over.  Winners will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or an alternate winner(s) will be selected.  Good Luck!




a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Disclosure:  I was provided free movie rental codes in exchange for my personal and honest blog review through Redbox, in partnership with Smiley360.  All opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and are not a result of any outside influence.

23 January 2012

Spring Buzz Giveaway Hop



Sign ups are now open for the Spring Buzz Giveaway Hop hosted by Sweep Tight and Just Married With Coupons!  The Grand Prize and Referral Prize will be sponsored by BeeSavy.  This hop will take place March 21-March 27 and all you need to do is host a giveaway on your blog as part of the hop with a retail value of at least $25.00.  Sponsoring your own giveaway is fine as long as it meets the minimum $25.00 value.

Requirements:

* Post the Spring Buzz Giveaway Hop button in your giveaway post to identify that you are part of the hop!
* Include the linky that will be provided to you before the hop begins.
* Include some sentences that indicate the sponsors, hosts, and giveaway details in your post.  This will also be provided to you before the hop.


Twitter Hashtag:  #SpringBuzzHop


Interested in joining the hop?  Sign up here!
** Please mention Textbook Mommy referred you.  Thanks!  **

Cooking with Pinterest!



For those of you who love Pinterest, looking at all the wonderful pins (especially the food) is addicting!  For those of you who aren't on Pinterest, go check it out immediately!  I have been pinning and re-pinning a lot of tasty looking recipes lately, so I decided for this weeks meals I wanted to try some out.  Of course not everything I will be making this week will be from Pinterest finds.  Most of these are just for the hubby and kids, as I am a vegetarian.  Since I'm watching my weight, Mom here will be enjoying some salads and fresh fruits and veggies.  I am going to substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth in the Spicy Peanut Veggie Pasta below so I can enjoy it.  I love me some Thai food!  Listed below is the things from Pinterest that will be new to try in this week's meal lineup.  Feel free to head on over to my board where they are all pinned, and of course follow my boards if you feel so inclined.  :)




Spicy Peanut Veggie Pasta
Photo Credit: BeckyBakes.net




Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (which I will serve as a side to my Hawaiian beef I make)
Photo Credit: Kaukautime.blogspot.com






Pesto Baked Potatoes (with whatever soup I end up deciding on)
Photo Credit: Kayotic.nl








Linguine with Shrimp and Roasted Tomatoes
Photo Credit: HuffingtonPost.com







Cinnamon French Toast Bake
Photo Credit: WhatsCookingLove

Photo Credit:  BeyondKimchee.blogspot.com









Pretzel and M&M Chocolate Cheesecake
Photo Credit:  RaspberriCupcakes.com










Other meals not from Pinterest I'm making this week include:

Chef Salads with French Bread
An additional night of Soup with French Bread
Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

Follow Me on Pinterest


21 January 2012

Novica Review and Giveaway



Novica is a website that offers beautifully handcrafted unique items from around the world.  By bringing these items to you through talented artists and artisans, you not only get to experience what these people have to offer and the sense of attachment to the country it comes from, you can feel good knowing that shopping through Novica is helping these artists get the platform of recognition they deserve, which in turn enhances their lives significantly.

Novica offers handcrafted items from the Andes, Bali and Java, Brazil, Central America, India, Mexico, Thailand, and West Africa.  Finding the perfect piece for yourself or as a gift is simple with the wide array of choices in categories such as Home Decor, Jewelry and Apparel, Paintings, and more!  Trust me when I say you can get lost enjoying browsing everything Novica has to offer!


Here are just some of the wonderful items Novica offers:







I am loving Novica and all the unique treasures I have come across while browsing this website!  There truly is something for everyone!  After reading more about Novica, I learned that they charge nothing to their artists and artisans for posting their items.  These artists also have free range to set their own pricing.  After reading some of the wonderful personal stories from some of Novica's truly talented artists, I think this is a wonderful way to shop and support these hardworking individuals worldwide. 

Novica gave me the wonderful opportunity to see the quality of the products they have to offer.  Below is a picture of the tote I chose to order, which is absolutely beautiful by the way!  The particular tote I chose is called Happy Elephants and comes from Thailand.  Not only was my order packaged beautifully, it came with an artisan story card so that I could truly understand who made my item and where it came from.  This tote is extra roomy and has a nice front pocket area that I love because I'm one of those moms that carries a little bit of everything!   This is one website you must see!


My "Happy Elephants" Tote!


Connect with Novica:

* Win a Novica $40.00 gift code! *

Thanks to Novica, (1) lucky reader of Textbook Mommy is going to win a $40.00 gift code.

Mandatory Entry:  Head on over to Novica and leave a blog comment with something that caught your eye!

Extra Entries:  There are plenty of ways to gain extra entries.  See the Rafflecopter form below.

Details:  Giveaway ends January 28, 2012 at Midnight EST.  One entry per household please.  Open to U.S. residents, 18 years of age and over.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email or an alternate winner will be selected. Good luck!





a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure:  I received the product mentioned from Novica in exchange for my personal review.  All opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and are not a result of any outside influence.

Facebook Amazon Blast!



Attention Bloggers! 

I have signed up to participate in the upcoming Facebook Amazon Blast hosted by Makobi Scribe and you can too!

A great way to gain more Facebook exposure for only $1.50  The giveaway portion will be awarding a $100 Amazon gift card to 1 lucky winner!  Starts February 1st.  Click the above image for more details!

19 January 2012

Mr. Chewy Pet Products Website Review


Shopping for just the right pet products for your furry friend has never been easier with MrChewy.com!  MrChewy.com carries all the brands you know and trust, all in one place.  Some examples of the top brands carried by Mr.Chewy are Hill's Science Diet, Iams, Greenies, Fresh Step, and more!  In fact, over 70 top brands are available!  Mr.Chewy sells only the highest quality cat and dog items such as food, treats, and toys.  

MrChewy.com offers free shipping on all orders $49.00+ and their products are competitively priced with your favorite retail stores.  Now you can save money and your back by not having to lug big bags of pet food and litter from the store to the car, and finally to the house.  The free shipping offer only sweetens the deal!  MrChewy.com even sells Frontline flea treatments, manufactured only in the United States, so you know it's safe for your kitty or pooch.



 { My Recent MrChewy.com Purchase! }


I recently had the opportunity to see what Mr.Chewy is all about, by purchasing some goods for my own dog and kitties!  I first have to say that the website is super user friendly.  All the products are easy to sort through and find, and you can even browse their products by brand name.  I felt the products offered at MrChewy.com are very closely priced to my nearest pet store, and most of the items I chose to purchase ended up costing less than my pet store charges!  I love a good savings, and I love their free shipping offer.


So How Does MrChewy.com Rate With Cats And Dogs?

You Decide By These Pictures Of My Furry Friends!


{ Buddy, Cutie, and Lil' Naughty Enjoying Their Salmon Flavored Greenies Treats! }


{ Here's Papi Very Happily Taking A Chew On His New Flossies Chew Treat! }



* Connect With Mr.Chewy on Facebook!






Disclosure:  This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I was provided a store credit to MrChewy.com in exchange for my personal and honest review.

Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks Review and Giveaway


Made with real fruit juice and containing only natural colors and flavors, Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Fruit Snacks are a healthy and tasty snack for all ages!  Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Fruit Snacks come in either Assorted Fruit or Berries and Cherries variety.  Not just for the kids, these fruit snacks are a guilt free snack containing only 80 calories and 100% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C.  These fruit snacks are also gluten free!

* Every Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Fruit Snacks come with double box tops year round!  




As a mom of four girls that keeps the snack cupboard stocked, I was a little skeptical how they would take to these fruit snacks considering they do not care for traditional fruit snacks, therefore I don't buy them.  When the package arrived I prompted the girls to dig in so they could tell me their thoughts.  Needless to say they loved them and they went through all the review boxes faster than any other snack product I buy them!

I have never been a big fan of fruit snack either myself, but I must say these were absolutely delicious!  I love the real fruit flavor.  My favorite of the varieties was the Berries and Cherries. These fruit snacks don't taste little miniature sugar capsules like other fruit snacks I have tried with my kids.  I like that I can enjoy these while watching my weight because they are only 80 calories per serving!  I also feel good about giving my children a snack that contains real fruit juice and no artificial coloring.  This mom definitely recommends Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Fruit Snacks!


Want a Chance to Win Some of These Fruit Snacks for Your Household?

 Prize:  4 lucky winners will each receive 6 boxes (3 of each variety) of Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks

Mandatory Entry:  Please answer in Rafflecopter this question:  Which variety of Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Fruit Snacks are you most excited to try (Assorted Fruit or Berries and Cherries)?

Extra Entries:  Lots of ways to gain extra entries are available on the Rafflecopter form below!

Giveaway Details:  Giveaway ends January 26, 2012 at midnight EST.  One entry per household please. U.S. residents only, 18 years of age and over please. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or alternate winner(s) will be selected.  Good luck!




a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: Ocean Spray® Fruit Flavored Snacks, information, and giveaway have been provided by Ocean Spray® through MyBlogSpark.

18 January 2012

Homemade Dog Treats



Making your own homemade dog treats is fun and super easy!  Here I've listed a couple of my favorite recipes for dog treats that will have your pooch thanking you and begging for more.  I'm always looking for new dog food/treat recipes to try, so if you have some I would love to hear them!


Peanut Butter and Banana Treats:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of peanut butter (I recommend all natural!)
1/2 cup of mashed bananas
1/4 cup of warm water
1 Egg
1 Tablespoon of honey
1 3/4 cups of wheat flour


Directions:

1)  In a large bowl, mix together your peanut butter and warm water until smooth.  
2)  Next add to this bowl your honey, banana, and egg. Mix well.
3)  Add one cup flour to the mixture and mix well.
4)  Now slowly add your remaining 1/4 cup of flour, working it in by hand until your mixture becomes stiff dough.
5)  Chill your dough in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
6)  On a floured surface, roll out your dough to desired thickness.  
7) Use whatever fun cookie cutter shapes of your choosing for the biscuits.  Place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
8)  Bake in the oven for 30 minutes on 300 degrees.
9)  Let biscuit treats cool and harden before storing and serving.



Pumpkin Ice Cream Treats:

Ingredients:

1 (1.5 oz) Sugar Free Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
1 (15 oz) can of Pumpkin puree
1 cup of fat free milk
1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice


Directions:

1)  In a medium sized bowl, whisk together your pudding mix, milk, and pumpkin pie spice until dissolved.
2)  Next, fold the pumpkin puree into your mixture.
3)  Now that your mixture is complete you can spoon into popsicle molds or small paper cups for freezing.
4)  Before serving set out on your counter top for 5 minutes and remove from cups or molds.

Are You Smarterer?



Like to show off your smarts?  Think you're "smarterer" than your friends?  If so, you may be interested in the website Smarterer!  As a member of BzzAgent, I was selected to join the Smarterer campaign to test it out for myself and it really is a fun website that will have you hooked for sure!  BzzAgent members that joined this campaign were given access to a special BzzAgent smarterer quiz to take and share their score, mine being a score of 517.  Since I just joined BzzAgent earlier this month, my score left me feeling like I need to study and brush up on the old hive ins and outs! 

Smarterer has a variety of quizzes to test your knowledge and share - or challenge your friends with!  For instance, you can take a quiz about Twitter, Facebook, Google, Excel, PowerPoint, Blogger, WordPress, and more!  The website even includes handy Facebook and Twitter share buttons so that you can easily share your quiz scores via social media!  I recommend checking out the Smarterer website but be warned, you will get addicted quick!  I'm off to go see what other topics I may be smarterer about...





* Disclosure:  This post was written on behalf of my experiences with Smarterer and BzzAgent.  Compensation for this post is given in the form of points that can be redeemed through MyPoints via BzzAgent.  The views expressed in this post are 100% mine and are not a result of any outside influence.
 

13 January 2012

DIY Super Bowl Decorations



I've been busy finding some wonderful DIY (do it yourself) Super Bowl decoration ideas for the upcoming game!  I just had to share some of the amazing ideas I have come across.  Maybe you will find something here that you will be inspired to try yourself!


 1)  Make Your Own Football Garland

  








Instructions on how to make this super budget friendly idea can be found at: DollarStoreCrafts.com   



 2)  Fun Football Centerpiece









This amazing idea from Hatter and Hare Events is achieved by painting a glass vase with chalkboard paint and then chalk drawing a football play!  As pictured, this is a great idea to display a plate of snacks like the football brownies shown.


 3)  Football Field Tablecloth









I love the idea of a DIY football field tablecloth!  Hostess with the Mostess describes how some green felt, ribbon, and varsity numbers can make a fantastic piece of decor.


 4)  Game Day Banner








I found this idea from MirandaMade.com and I just think it is great for the big game day!  She goes through how to do this game day banner step by step, and the best thing is the materials needed are wallet friendly!



Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Walgreens regrettably has announced that as of January 1, 2012, customers of the Express Script pharmacy network will no longer be able to use Walgreens as their pharmacy of choice due to an agreement not being met on both sides to continue coverage.  While Walgreens and Express Script in the end chose to continue on in different directions, please note that only some customers on the Express Scripts plan will be affected and it is best to discuss these changes and how they may affect you with your local Walgreens pharmacist. 

While Walgreens understands that this may cause a hardship for those under this coverage that have been loyal Walgreens pharmacy customers, as well as now the distance some may have to drive to find a pharmacy that does fall into this coverage category, Walgreens would like to extend a special savings offer to join the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club.

During their special January promotion, Walgreens is offering a deal for individuals to join this savings club for the cost of $5, or $10 for a family membership.  Walgreens Prescription Savings Club members will receive savings on over 8,000 brand name and generic prescription drugs.  You will also receive discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers, and diabetic supplies.

Support Walgreens and stay updated by liking Walgreens on Facebook and by following  Walgreens on Twitter

Visit Sponsor's Site

11 January 2012

PartyLite

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PartyLite for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.



PartyLite is the #1 worldwide seller and distributor of premium candle and home fragrance products.  PartyLite products are available to purchase online or directly through fun PartyLite home parties!  In fact, there is a PartyLite party going on somewhere in the world every 18 seconds!
Bringing together your closest friends and associates for a PartyLite party is fun and a great way to run your own home business.  Known as the best candles, PartyLite consumers keep coming back for the known quality that comes with the name PartyLite.

Not only can you make money by hosting your own PartyLite party, you can also earn free products to keep for yourself depending on how much you sell!  Redecorating your home can now be little or no cost to you when starting your own PartyLite business.  PartyLite specializes in the sales of candles, candle warmers, home decor accessories, reed diffusers, and more!  Right now you can get your hands on the latest Winter/Spring PartyLite catalog that debuted December 16, 2011.  There's never been a better time than now to see what PartyLite is all about and what it can do for you!

Check out the PartyLite Facebook page for more information.
Visit Sponsor's Site

10 January 2012

Make a Difference Volunteering Online




Volunteering your time working with children on reading and writing is easy when you can donate your efforts online through In2Books!  In2Books brings core reading, writing, and thinking skills to school children nationwide through a partnering effort from adult volunteers around the country.  Over 20,000 students have been mentored through this wonderful program thanks to volunteers!

So how does the In2Books program work? 

Volunteering is free and you can start the sign up process for In2Books here!  From there you will be matched with a student that you will be working with for the school year.  The program will let you know a book that has been assigned for you and your mentored student to read.  You and your student will read about 4-5 books a year.  While each of you are reading through your book independently, you will exchange online letters back and forth about the book and it's content.  While In2Books does not supply your copies of each book, these can easily be found at your local bookstore or library. 

I learned about this project yesterday while browsing volunteer opportunities online and I think it's a wonderful idea!  It's an easy way to fit volunteering into your schedule because it's completely online!  Helping children improve their reading, writing, and comprehension skills is a great idea all around and I am personally looking forward to working with In2Books myself.  I encourage volunteering efforts and if there is anyone you know who may be interested in this, pass the word along!

05 January 2012

Free BJ's 60 Day Trial Membership



BJ's is the place to go for all your household needs with items such as diapers, beauty, groceries, and everything else in between!  BJ's is also known for their low prices, which makes saving money and staying within your budget easier than ever.  In fact, BJ's members can save up to $500 in groceries a year!  What makes it even sweeter is that BJ's is the only club that allows you to use manufacturer's coupons for ultimate savings.

Right now BJ's is partnering with Vocalpoint to offer free 60 day trial memberships!  Now is the time to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and try BJ's for yourself.  To take advantage of this free trial membership opportunity, click here!

BJ's Wholesale Club Stores are located in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.



* Disclosure:  I wrote this post as a member of Vocalpoint.  I received no compensation of any form for this post.

04 January 2012

Lucky Day Sweepstakes Event!

Sason and Pobi
 
 
Sason and Pobi would like to invite you to A Lucky Day Sweepstakes Event. Sign Up here.

UGLee Pen Review and Giveaway






Invented by Dr. James Lee, the UGLee Pen is designed for comfort based on the research of the hand muscles by Dr. Lee.  Looking back on his days of medical school, Dr. James Lee recalled the never ending hand cramps he would have to endure writing pages upon pages of medical notes each day.  Frustrated by how uncomfortable using pens had become, Dr. Lee knew there had to be a way to design an ergonomic pen that would provide comfort, no matter how many pages were written with it!  Then was born the UGLee Pen!

The UGLee Pen is ultra lightweight, weighing in at only 11 grams!  At less than half an ounce, the lightweight design is perfect for comfort.  The UGLee Pen also features a full size grip that contours naturally to also aid in comfortable writing.  The ink contained in this pen is smooth and it's smoothness outshines any other roller ball, gel, or ink pen on the market.





After reviewing the UGLee Pen for myself, I can attest that this pen provides super comfort while writing.  As a college student I take a lot of notes!  The UGLee Pen helps me prevent painful hand cramps while note taking and that is a huge plus in my book!  On another note, I did notice that sometimes it does take a little scribbling to get the ink to start flowing.  If anything, that would be the only downside.  Overall though, the comfort greatly outweighs that little problem.  I am recommending this pen to my college friends who could also benefit from the comfort this product provides.  I would definitely recommend this product!


Want To Win A Pack Of UGLee Pens?
*The wonderful folks at UGLee Pens have offered to award one reader of Textbook Mommy a pack of UGLee Pens!
 Mandatory Entry:  Please visit www.UGLeePen.com and come back to leave a blog comment {not in Rafflecopter} with something you learned!

Extra Entries:  Please see the Rafflecopter form for lots of ways you can gain extra entries!

Details:  Giveaway ends:  January 10, 2012 @ Midnight EST.  Open to residents of the U.S., 18 years of age and over.  One entry per household please!  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email or an alternate winner will be selected.  Good Luck!


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

02 January 2012

Spongeables Pedi Scrub Review and Giveaway





Spongeables Pedi Scrubber foot buffer is a great way to treat your feet!  This amazing buffer has two sides that tailor to different needs.  One side is infused with soap and is soft and gentle to the touch, cleaning and soothing your feet.  The other side has a unique scrubby texture that works to buff away your dry and rough skin, leaving feet feeling smooth and ready for those heels!

The Pedi Scrubber comes in two amazing fragrances, Lavender and Tea Tree Oil and Citron-Eucalyptus.  The aromatherapy attribute of this foot buffer adds to the relaxation and soothing experience that comes with using this product.  Spongeables Pedi Scrubbers are available for purchase nationwide at drug store and major retail chain stores.  To find a store in your area, click here!  You can also purchase this fabulous product online at www.spongeables.com.







I had the opportunity to review the Spongeables Pedi Scrubber myself and this product is truly a treat for your feet!  I used the Lavender and Tea Tree Oil scrubber and the fragrance was fantastic, not overpowering.  I liked the dual action of being able to use the scrubby side to remove the dry skin and also be able to use the soft and soapy side to get clean and wonderfully smelly footsies!  My feet felt so soft and smooth after using this product.  I would definitely recommend it!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.




Want To Win A Spongeables Pedi Scrubber For Yourself?


Mandatory Entry:  Please "Like" Spongeables on Facebook and "Follow" Spongeables on Twitter.  You can do this easily below using the Rafflecopter form.

Extra Entries:  There are plenty of extra entries up for grabs.  Please see the Rafflecopter for these!

Details:  Giveaway Ends January 9, 2012 at Midnight EST.  Open to residents of the U.S., 18 years of age and over.  One entry per household please. Winner will have their choice of either the Lavender and Tea Tree Oil Scrubber or the Citron-Eucalyptus Scrubber.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or another winner will be selected.  Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Sponsored by Tomoson.com

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